Gachiakuta Season 1 Review in Progress: A Bright Future for Shonen Fans.
Gachiakuta, written and illustrated by Kei Urana, is a Japanese manga that began serialization in February 2022. The story follows Rudo Suberec, a young boy who lives in the slums of a wealthy, skybound society known as “The Sphere.” Suspended high above the ground through mysterious means, The Sphere is home to the so-called sky people or sphereites, who have spent generations dumping their trash and their criminals onto the surface below. Over time, this constant disposal polluted the ground, giving rise to monstrous beings called Trash Beasts and fueling a deep hatred between those above and those below.
Rudo, aggressive and bitter by nature, has every reason to be. Life in the slums is a daily fight against both poverty and prejudice. The Sphere is divided between the haves and the have-nots, with the privileged consuming most of the resources while the rest survive on scraps. Those who live on the slum side carry the stigma of being descendants of exiled criminals, paying for the sins of the generations before them. It’s a world that treats people like garbage, and Rudo is one of the few who refuses to accept that.
The first two episodes do a good job of setting the scene and showing what drives Rudo. While I enjoyed getting to know him and his surroundings, the story moves too quickly, making it hard to fully connect with his rage. A clear example is his relationship with Chiwa. She is initially kind and accepting, giving hope that the world isn’t completely hopeless, but everything changes after Rudo is accused of a heinous crime.
Rudo was abandoned by his parents and adopted by a man named Regto, who is laid-back, joking, and the closest thing Rudo has to family. Regto is violently killed by a mysterious figure who also steals his book and frames Rudo. The people on the Sphere decide that enough is enough and exile Rudo. Chiwa immediately turns on him too, but because we never see them form a strong bond, the moment falls flat. It is weak writing, mainly serving to justify his descent into rage.
That kind of storytelling comes with the territory in shonen and is easy to accept for someone like me who stepped away from anime for a while. Fans who watch religiously might roll their eyes at these overused tropes, and I honestly, I get it. It can feel a bit tired, even if it still works for setting up Rudo’s story.
Everything really picks up once Rudo hits the ground. This is where he meets Enjin, the leader of Team Akuta, who helps him realize his potential as a Giver. Givers are people with the ability to turn everyday objects into powerful weapons by pouring love and care into them. That emotion transforms into energy called anima, which powers their creations—and is also what turns ordinary trash into Trash Beasts.
After helping Rudo unlock his abilities, Enjin encourages him to join the Cleaners, a group dedicated to defeating Trash Beasts and protecting the people on the ground. Rudo agrees, but only because he wants to return to the Sphere and take revenge on those who wronged him. It’s a simple setup, but one that leaves plenty of room for exciting story arcs.
I haven’t read the manga, so I’m reviewing this purely from the anime’s perspective, but I’m excited to see where it goes. The later episodes introduce the rest of the main cast—Zanka, Riyo, Tamsy, Semiu, Arkha, and others. Outside the Cleaners, there’s also the Raiders, a group that opposes them. Not much is known about the Raiders yet, but they give off serious Akatsuki or Espada vibes, which hints at some fun conflicts ahead.
With episode 16 set to drop today and a total of 24 episodes planned for season one, I’m eager to see where Gachiakuta takes Rudo, Enjin, and the rest of the Cleaners next. The series has built a thrilling world filled with mystery, moral gray areas, and a growing sense of rebellion. Zodyl, the leader of the Raiders, stands out as a genuinely intriguing villain. In episode 15, he even offers Rudo the chance to join forces to take down the Sphere, a bold move that hints at deeper connections between them. His jacket also bears the same symbol as Rudo’s glove, which Jabber mentioned is part of a series, adding another layer of mystery to the story.
With its striking visuals, imaginative worldbuilding, and evolving cast of characters, Gachiakuta feels like the start of something special. The series does use 3D animation in certain scenes, and while it doesn’t always blend perfectly, it makes sense given the complexity of animating creatures like the Trash Beasts with their many moving parts. I’m hoping a second season is announced soon because this world clearly has a lot more to offer. If you’re looking for a fresh, fast-paced anime to dive into, Gachiakuta is streaming on Crunchyroll with new episodes every Sunday until December 2025.
